Criticism of decision on pre-school

Criticism of decision on pre-school

31 October 2012

THERE has been strong condemnation of a decision by the Department of Education to refuse permission for a pre-school unit at Cumran Primary School in Clough.

Alan Lewis, the Down District representative of the United Kingdom Independence Party, said he is “disgusted” that the unit will not go ahead while £290,000 is being spent on funding a “poorly attended Irish medium school in Castlewellan.”

“I would argue that there is the need for a pre-school unit at Cumran as I have been contacted by many parents from the area and neighbouring wards whose children have been refused a placement in many already established schools,” said Mr. Lewis.

“With space already set aside in Cumran in what is a relatively newly constructed building I would argue that Cumran offers the prime spot for a new pre school unit,” said Mr. Lewis.

It wasn’t so long ago that Education Minister John O’Dowd announced a further boost of £4.8m over this next three years to boost pre school education but if thousands weren’t being wasted on Irish cultural projects there would be the available funds to enhance and benefit

education within the local community.

“It is this the type of blatant discrimination and neglect we can expect under this present regime at Stormont when the Sinn Fein obsession with Irish language pet projects is allowed to take precedence over the needs of children who are not part of the maintained or Irish medium sector.

Mr. Lewis is now seeking a meeting with the South Eastern Education and Library Board.